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How do you react when someone takes credit for something you did?

I recently witnessed someone take credit for something I had done. Something that was my design, my thought, my work. I physically stood there and watched them point their finger to their chest, raise their eyebrows and widen their eyes as they silently pointed to themselves. With those gestures they were answering a question of who had done "such and such".

Inside, I was screaming and asking just how they had come up with that.

Outwardly, I shook my head and glanced at the person standing next to me. With a huff, I turned around and began getting back to pending matters. I still haven't said to them what I imagine I would say. That conversation plays over and over in my mind's eye. More eloquently I'm sure than if that moment ever happens face to face.

At that moment, that act of betrayal sent me over the edge and confirmed the attitude I had been witnessing. I don't forgive very easily, though I should. I know I should. However, grudges run deep with me.

So, what would you do? how would you react when someone takes credit for something you did?

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Permalink Reply by Donah D on December 13, 2012 at 3:52pm

I can definitely relate to this situation, and I'm very sorry you had to go through with this. There are definitely people out there who are better at stealing ideas than making their own. Confrontation, for me, is the way to go. Although this never happened to me face to face, but something similar happened in a group I used to be a member of - a blogging community at that. But then again later on, I learned that 'thieves' are rampant in the blogosphere so sometimes you need to be cautious of who to share new ideas with. In my case, the founder itself claimed the idea that I suggested to her, her own. And I did not hesitate and DM her (tried to be civilized) and just told her how 'crappy' I felt, especially when she totally slammed the idea at first, only for it to announce to everyone that that's what she was thinking. Shameful. I left the group after that.

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Permalink Reply by Winter Harris on December 13, 2012 at 8:36pm

I did a guest article for a newsletter and I titled the article with a phrase I felt was befitting for the topic they gave me. I was very proud of this article, as it was opportunity for me to speak honestly and from my heart, and anxiously awaited for them publish it. Once it came out, I was stunned that they had taken the name of my article and used it as the title for their Newsletter which left my article with a title they had just threw together. I was highly offended! They have recently asked me to write a new article but that experience really threw me off and I have yet to respond. My husband is really good with these types of situations and he said, if they thought it was good enough to steal, then it must have been good, and that is actually a compliment. Made me feel better anyway, and if I decide to write for them a next time, I will require that they publish my article as submitted :-)

My article with my original title:

http://christcenteredhomemag.blogspot.com/2012/07/operation-restora...

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Permalink Reply by Alethea Etinoff on December 19, 2012 at 10:49pm

When someone takes credit for something I've done or credit is knowingly given to someone else, I get upset. I'm in utter shock initially. After a while, bitterness begins to take root, then feelings of rejection, I feel degraded, belittled, pissed, angry and then I want revenge. I want to get even and I want to expose the liar(s) for everything I know about them, not just what they did to me, because they hurt me.

In time, I calm down and The Lord allows me to forgive them and then I question why I always have to take the high ground and get no where. Later I tell The Lord I trust Him, even if I don't agree with the situation and let it go, while secretly waiting for the same thing to happen to them. Then I feel guilty and/or bad for the other person because I understand their pain first hand. Then I'm pissed again that I feel bad for them knowing they never felt bad for hurting me. Then I laugh and tell The Lord He's amazing and I truly let it go and put it out of my mind.

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Permalink Reply by Tanisha Smith on December 20, 2012 at 9:02am

I have had this happen to me several times the past few months, when this new girl started. I didn't realize it was happening at first. Soon as I noticed, I said something to my boss. I just pulled her aside and told her all the hard work I have been doing only for someone else to take my name off and add theirs. My boss looked into it and fixed the matter. The girls excuse was that it's "team work" and thought it was alright. No ma'am! It's only alright if we did it together and even them my name will still be on it.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Lee Gunn on December 24, 2012 at 9:05am

I simply ask them how they came up with the idea. Then, if needed, I ask what steps they took to bring it to fruition. That usually takes care of it. :)

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Permalink Reply by Penny Roach on January 24, 2013 at 3:58pm

Ahh...this is not a fun subject. When I used to do online advertising campaigns, I also taught a class and would show people examples of work I had to done to give an "idea" of how to get started.

Instead of taking notes in the class and doing their own work, they decided to copy and paste my work and just attach their own names. I went to our boss and do you know what I was told? That I should be flattered that they considered my work good enough to copy. Really?

Nope, was not fun at all. I quit teaching the class (it was strictly volunteer) and started using a different name for my online advertising. But boy did it work on my nerves for a LONG time!!

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Permalink Reply by Tiffany Noth on January 25, 2013 at 7:42am

It is very frustrating! I guess you can try to view from the being flattered position. But flattering or not, they tried to STEAL something! The person that did this to me several times attempted to creep into what is mine - and even began to lie about me. There was something much more sinister than simple flattery behind it. And I think there usually is more behind it. Deeper issues that person needs to deal with.